Carrying case for tablet computer

ABSTRACT

A carrying case for a tablet computer, said case including a support surface for supporting a tablet computer; a first and second holder for securing the tablet computer to a top-oriented face of said support surface, and a handle for carrying said case arranged with a bottom-oriented face of said support surface. Said first holder is attached to a first edge portion of the support face and said second holder is attached to a second edge portion of the support face such that said first holder and second holder are oriented respectively to engage adjacent sides of the tablet computer secured therein, and at least one of said holders is slidably attached to an edge portion of the support surface such that said holder can be extended outwards from the edge portion to allow the support surface to be adapted to support varying tablet computer sizes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carrying case for a tablet computerthat offers protection for the tablet computer while allowing easyergonomic access to the touch screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tablet computers are becoming more popular and there is a demand forconvenient carrying cases which offer easy access as well as protectionfor the computer. A tablet computer has a touchscreen technology whichallows the user to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen, ora fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse. Traditional protectivecases for tablet computers store the computer with one side of the caseopen to allow the user full access to the touchscreen while the computerremains in the case. However, typical cases have not offered easyadjustability to be used easily with tablet computers of varying sizes,and to also allow easy attachment and detachment of the computer fromthe case, while also providing ease of carrying, ergonomic use, andadequate protection for the computer while in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a carrying case for a tabletcomputer includes a case with a plurality of holders to secure thetablet computer to the case allowing easy mobility, access andergonomically comfortable use of the tablet computer while the computeris secured in the case. The carrying case can be further adapted suchthat at least one of the holders can be either slidably or elasticallyextended and retracted for easily attaching and detaching a tabletcomputer of varying size to the case. The case is formed to fit a tabletcomputer snugly and protect the computer ports while having an openfront face to allow easy access to the touch screen. In one embodiment,the holders can be adapted to secure the carrying case to the lock-slotcommonly found on tablet computers. Universal lock-slots have becomestandard on personally computers, and the holders can be adapted with anextension that will engage a universal lock-slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternate embodiment illustrating theslidability of the holders;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is and exploded view of one embodiment for a support surface usedin the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of one corner of the support surface for analternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for a holderused in the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of one corner of the support surface for analternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1 through 4, a carrying case 10 has a support surface20 which has a top-oriented face 21 for supporting a tablet computerthat can be secured to the carrying case 10 and a bottom-oriented face22 for securing a handle 41 for the user to carry the case, or in thealternative, attaching a strap to buckles 42.

Holders 31 are attached to the support face 20. Holders 31 engage thetablet computer thereby securing the tablet computer on the top-orientedface 21 of the support surface 20. The user can hold the carrying case10 in an ergonomically comfortable position by sliding one hand intohandle 41, leaving the other hand free to interact with the screen ofthe secured tablet computer.

In preferred form, at least one of the holders 31 is slidably fittedwithin mating openings in support surface 20. In such an embodiment, asshown in FIG. 4, holders 31 can be extended to new positions 31 a; andpreferably all three illustrated holders 31 are slidably fitted withinsupport surface 20. Alternatively, holders 31 can be constructed of anelastic material.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the inward-facing surface 37of holder 31 and the bottom-oriented face 22 of support surface 20 canbe fitted with respective adhering material 36. Such adhering material36 would preferably be conventional hook-and-loop material. Thebottom-oriented surface 22 is fitted with a plurality of strips ofadhering material 36 such that the respective adhering material 36 onholder 31 can be attached in varying locations enabling the supportsurface 20 of the carrying case 10 to be adapted to support varyingtablet computer sizes. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11,adhering material 36, can be used with strap 39 which is secured tobottom-oriented face 22 of support surface 20. In such an embodiment,holders 31 have opening 38 such that strap 39 can be passed throughopening 38, and the adhering material 36 on strap 39 secures holder 31in place in a selected position.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, holders 31 can also be adapted to attach tothe tablet computer by the addition of extension 35 to the inward-facingsurface 37 of holder 31. Extension 35 is adapted to engage the auniversal lock-slot present on a tablet computer.

FIG. 5 shows a construction for the support surface 20 which includes atop-oriented face 21, a bottom oriented face 22, and an interior rigidsupport 23. On one side, two of the holders 31 are attached in a fixedposition between the bottom-oriented face 22 and the interior rigidsupport 23, and on the adjacent and opposing sides three additionalholders 31 have a retractable end 34 which is adapted to be slidablysecured between the bottom-oriented face 22 and the interior rigidsupport 23. Holders 31 may also be further secured by support brackets33.

FIG. 6 shows a similar embodiment which provides an additional interiorrigid support 23, wherein the holders 31 are secured between thetop-oriented face 21 and the interior rigid support 23. An additionalsupport plate 40 can also be secured to the bottom-oriented face 22 toprovide additional support for securing buckles 42, or handle 41.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternate embodiment for the construction of a supportsurface 20. Support surface 20 is constructed of three portions,top-oriented surface 21, bottom oriented surface 22, and interior rigidsupport 23. Holders 31 are slidably secured on opposing sides of supportsurface 20, wherein the holders 31 have retractable ends 34 adapted toslide along recessed guide path 35 within interior rigid support 23.

The embodiments shown depict two through five holders 31, however thenumber and location of the holders 31 may vary according to expectedrequirements of the size and expected loads of the carrying case.Holders 31 may also have additional pockets 32 for easy access to storeditems and computer accessories, as shown in FIG. 1. In preferred form,top-oriented surface 21, and bottom oriented surface 22 are providedwith padding for additional ergonomic comfort.

1. A carrying case for a tablet computer, including a support surfacefor supporting a table computer; a first and second holder for securingthe tablet computer to the top-oriented face of said support surface,said first and second holders respectively attached to an edge portionof the support surface; and a handle for carrying said case. said handlearranged with the bottom-oriented face of the support surface.
 2. Acarrying case as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of saidholders comprises an extension, said extension extending from theinward-facing face of said holder, wherein said extension is adapted toengage the universal lock-slot on the tablet computer.
 3. A carryingcase as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first holder is attached to afirst edge portion of the support surface and said second holder isattached to a second edge portion of the support surface, such that saidfirst holder and said second holder are oriented respectively to engageadjacent sides of the tablet computer secured therein.
 4. A carryingcase as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support surface furthercomprises an internal rigid support concealed between the top-orientedface and the bottom-oriented face of said support surface.
 5. A carryingcase as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said holders isconstructed of an elastic material.
 6. A carrying case as set forth inclaim 1, wherein at least one of said holders is slidably attached to anedge portion of the support surface such that said slidably attachedholder can be extended outwards from the edge portion to allow thesupport surface to be adapted to support varying tablet computer sizes.7. A carrying case as set forth in claim 6, wherein at least one of saidholders further comprises an extension, said extension extending fromthe inward-facing face of said holder, wherein said extension is adaptedto engage the universal lock-slot on the tablet computer.
 8. A carryingcase as set forth in claim 6, wherein said slidably attached holdercomprises a retractable end, said retractable end adapted to fitslidably within the support surface such that, when retracted, theretractable end is concealed within the support surface between thetop-oriented face and the bottom-oriented face of said support surface.9. A carrying case as set forth in claim 6, wherein said retractable endis adapted to slide along a recessed guide path within an interior rigidsupport, said interior rigid support concealed between the top-orientedface and the bottom-oriented face of the support surface.
 10. A carryingcase for a tablet computer, including a support surface for supporting atable computer; a first and second holder for securing the tabletcomputer to the top-oriented face of said support surface, said firstand second holders respectively attached to an edge portion of thesupport face; and a handle for carrying said case arranged with thebottom-oriented face of said support surface; wherein said first holderis attached to a first edge portion of the support face and said secondholder is attached to a second edge portion of the support face suchthat said first holder and second holder are oriented respectively toengage adjacent sides of the tablet computer secured therein; andwherein at least one of said holders is slidably attached to an edgeportion of the support surface such that said holder can be extendedoutwards from the edge portion to allow the support surface to beadapted to support varying tablet computer sizes.
 11. A carrying case asset forth in claim 10, wherein at least one of said holders comprises anextension, said extension extending from the inward-facing face of saidholder, wherein said extension is adapted to engage the universallock-slot on the tablet computer.
 12. A carrying case as set forth inclaim 10, wherein said slidably attached holder comprises a retractableend, said retractable end adapted to fit slidably within the supportsurface such that, when retracted, the retractable end is concealedwithin the support surface between the top-oriented face and thebottom-oriented face of said support surface.
 13. A carrying case as setforth in claim 12, wherein at least one of said holders furthercomprises an extension, said extension extending from the inward-facingface of said holder, wherein said extension is adapted to engage theuniversal lock-slot on the tablet computer.
 14. A carrying case for atablet computer, including a support surface for supporting a tablecomputer; a first and second holder for securing the tablet computer tothe top-oriented face of said support surface, and a handle for carryingsaid case arranged with the bottom-oriented face of said supportsurface; wherein at least one of said holders includes an adheringmaterial for removable attachment to a respective adhering materialincluded on the bottom-oriented face of the support surface; whereinsaid bottom-oriented face includes a plurality of adhering surfaces suchthat the adhering surface on said holder can be attached to thebottom-oriented face in varying positions to allow the support surfaceof the carrying case to be adapted to support varying tablet computersizes.
 15. A carrying case for a tablet computer, including a supportsurface for supporting a table computer; a first and second holder forsecuring the tablet computer to the top-oriented face of said supportsurface, a first and second strap for respectively securing said firstand second holders to the support surface; and a handle for carryingsaid case; said handle arranged with the bottom-oriented face of thesupport surface; wherein said straps have a first end and a second end,said first end attached to the bottom-oriented face of the supportsurface and said second end including an adhering material on one side;when said second end is passed through an opening in the holder, theadhering material is secured to a respective strip of adhering materialon the strap.